Top 10 Action Heroes In The Malayalam Film Industry

1. Mohanlal

He is the most admired actor and producer in Kerala. He has won four National Awards and more than 10 State Awards. He is famous for his action films like ‘Aaram Thampuran’, ‘Kireedam’, ‘Devasuram’, ‘Ravanaprabhu’, ‘Spadikam’, and ‘Narasimham’. The movie Kireedam brought him the National Award in 1989. The picture ‘Jilla’ in Tamil is also an action thriller. Mohanlal made his entry to the Malayalam cinema as the villain in the 1980 film ‘Manjil Virinja Pookkal’ directed by ‘Fazil’. Then, he slowly began conquering every step of the ladder and reached the top position in the Malayalam industry.

2. Mammootty

Born as Muhammed Kutty, Mammootty shares the peak chair in Malayalam cinema along with Mohanlal. His action pictures are The King, ‘Samrajyam’, Rakshasa Rajavu, ‘Dhruvam’, ‘Rajamanikyam’, and Pokkiri Raja. Mammootty debuted as a lead role in the movie ‘Devalokam’ directed by M. T Vasudevan Nair. He received the National Awards three times and won five State Awards as well. Ponthan Mada, ‘Mathilukal’, Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, and ‘Vidheyam’ are some of his award winning films.

3. Jayan

He is the all-time favorite action hero in Malayalam. An epitome of the masculine concept, Jayan was also a stunt performer. His first recognized picture is ‘Panchami’ in which he played the role of villain. ‘Karimpana’, ‘Angaadi’, ‘Sarapancharam’, ‘Thadavara’, and ‘Anupallavi’ are some of his famous action movies. He died in 1980 in an accident on the set of the film ‘Kolilakkam’. Jayan is the most imitated actor in Malayalam.

4. Suresh Gopi

At the beginning of his career, Suresh Gopi played a significant role in the action film Rajavinte Makan. Then, he did many movies like Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, and ‘Ennale’ at the beginning. He shined as an action hero in many pictures like ‘Ekalavyan’, ‘Thalastaanam’, ‘Commissioner’, ‘Lelam’, and ‘Vazhunnor’. He won a National Award in 1997 for his performance in the film ‘Kaliyattam’ directed by ‘Jayaraj’. Recently, he did a couple of successful movies like The King and The Commissioner, Christian Brothers, and ‘Melvilasom’.

5. Prithviraj Sukumaran

With some extraordinary pictures, Prithviraj has become the youth icon in Kerala. He began his career with the ‘Ranjith’ film ‘Nandanam’ in 2002. ‘Vaasthavam’, ‘Akale’, and ‘Classmates’ are some of his finest movies. The pictures in which Prithviraj appears as an action hero are ‘Chocolate’, Puthiya Mukham, ‘Robinhood’, Pokkiri Raja, and ‘Simhasanam’. In 2011, he received a National Award as the director of the film ‘Indian Rupee’. Also, he is thrice the recipient of the Kerala State Film Awards.

6. Dulquer Salmaan

Popularly known as DQ, this young star is now the most celebrated Malayalam actor. With the release of his latest action thriller, ‘Kali’, he has won the heart of the youth in Kerala. His first picture Second Show was also an action thriller, for which he received the Best Debut Actor in the Vanita Film Awards. Recently, he got a State Award for the movie ‘Charlie’. ‘Kammatipaadam’ and ‘Vikramadithyan’ are his other action pictures.

7. Unni Mukundan

Unni Mukundan is a young upcoming actor in Malayalam, known for his action roles. Mallu Singh, ‘Vikramadithyan’, Bombay March 12, and ‘Style’ are his significant films. His first experience was the Tamil picture ‘Sedan’, which is the remake of the Malayalam movie, ‘Nandanam’. Recently, he acted in the movie Oru Murai Vanthu Parthaya, which continues to run successfully in the theaters. His other films are I Love Me, Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty, ‘Fireman’, and ‘KL 10’.

8. Nivin Pauly

With the recent pictures ‘Premam’ and Action Hero Biju, Nivin Pauly, has won the title of the new action hero in Malayalam. He started his career with the movie Malarvadi Arts Club directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan. From there on he did many films like Thattathin Marayathu, ‘Neram’, Om Shanthi Oshaana, and Jacobinte Swargarajyam. Many of his pictures turned out to be super hits at the box- office.

9. Jayaram

He is a renowned Malayalam actor and mimicry artist, known for his contributions to Malayalam and Tamil cinema. ‘Adwaytham’, ‘Manassinakkare’, ‘Dhruvam’, Kottaram Veettile Apputtan, Sharjah to Sharjah, and China Town are his famous action films. He won the Kerala State Award twice for the movies Thooval Kottaram and Swayamvara Panthal. His son Kalidas Jayaram is also a well-known actor.

10. Dileep

A renowned actor, producer, and mimicry artist, Dileep has also shined in the role of an action hero. ‘Runway’, ‘Lion’, ‘Meesamadhavan’, Kochi Rajavu, ‘Avatharam’, The Don, and C.I.D Moosa are his action pictures. He got the Kerala State Best Actor Award four times for the films ‘Kunjikoonan’, ‘Chanthupottu’, ‘Kathavasheshan’, and Vellaripravinte Changathi. He has the unique capability to blend humor and action together. Dileep has more than 125 movies to his credit.